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Garretson A, Dumont BL, Handel MA. Reproductive genomics of the mouse: implications for human fertility and infertility. Development 2023; 150:dev201313. [PMID: 36779988 PMCID: PMC10836652 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Genetic analyses of mammalian gametogenesis and fertility have the potential to inform about two important and interrelated clinical areas: infertility and contraception. Here, we address the genetics and genomics underlying gamete formation, productivity and function in the context of reproductive success in mammalian systems, primarily mouse and human. Although much is known about the specific genes and proteins required for meiotic processes and sperm function, we know relatively little about other gametic determinants of overall fertility, such as regulation of gamete numbers, duration of gamete production, and gamete selection and function in fertilization. As fertility is not a binary trait, attention is now appropriately focused on the oligogenic, quantitative aspects of reproduction. Multiparent mouse populations, created by complex crossing strategies, exhibit genetic diversity similar to human populations and will be valuable resources for genetic discovery, helping to overcome current limitations to our knowledge of mammalian reproductive genetics. Finally, we discuss how what we know about the genomics of reproduction can ultimately be brought to the clinic, informing our concepts of human fertility and infertility, and improving assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Garretson
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Beth L. Dumont
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Mary Ann Handel
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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2
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Wang Y, Guo T, Ke H, Zhang Q, Li S, Luo W, Qin Y. Pathogenic variants of meiotic double strand break (DSB) formation genes PRDM9 and ANKRD31 in premature ovarian insufficiency. Genet Med 2021; 23:2309-2315. [PMID: 34257419 PMCID: PMC8629753 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-021-01266-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The etiology of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is heterogeneous, and genetic factors account for 20–25% of the patients. The primordial follicle pool is determined by the meiosis process, which is initiated by programmed DNA double strand breaks (DSB) and homologous recombination. The objective of the study is to explore the role of DSB formation genes in POI pathogenesis. Methods Variants in DSB formation genes were analyzed from a database of exome sequencing in 1,030 patients with POI. The pathogenic effects of the potentially causative variants were verified by further functional studies. Results Three pathogenic heterozygous variants in PRDM9 and two in ANKRD31 were identified in seven patients. Functional studies showed the variants in PRDM9 impaired its methyltransferase activity, and the ANKRD31 variations disturbed its interaction with another DSB formation factor REC114 by haploinsufficiency effect, indicating the pathogenic effects of the two genes on ovarian function were dosage dependent. Conclusion Our study identified pathogenic variants of PRDM9 and ANKRD31 in POI patients, shedding new light on the contribution of meiotic DSB formation genes in ovarian development, further expanding the genetic architecture of POI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hanni Ke
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shan Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yingying Qin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. .,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. .,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. .,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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3
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Mihola O, Landa V, Pratto F, Brick K, Kobets T, Kusari F, Gasic S, Smagulova F, Grey C, Flachs P, Gergelits V, Tresnak K, Silhavy J, Mlejnek P, Camerini-Otero RD, Pravenec M, Petukhova GV, Trachtulec Z. Rat PRDM9 shapes recombination landscapes, duration of meiosis, gametogenesis, and age of fertility. BMC Biol 2021; 19:86. [PMID: 33910563 PMCID: PMC8082845 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01017-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vertebrate meiotic recombination events are concentrated in regions (hotspots) that display open chromatin marks, such as trimethylation of lysines 4 and 36 of histone 3 (H3K4me3 and H3K36me3). Mouse and human PRDM9 proteins catalyze H3K4me3 and H3K36me3 and determine hotspot positions, whereas other vertebrates lacking PRDM9 recombine in regions with chromatin already opened for another function, such as gene promoters. While these other vertebrate species lacking PRDM9 remain fertile, inactivation of the mouse Prdm9 gene, which shifts the hotspots to the functional regions (including promoters), typically causes gross fertility reduction; and the reasons for these species differences are not clear. RESULTS We introduced Prdm9 deletions into the Rattus norvegicus genome and generated the first rat genome-wide maps of recombination-initiating double-strand break hotspots. Rat strains carrying the same wild-type Prdm9 allele shared 88% hotspots but strains with different Prdm9 alleles only 3%. After Prdm9 deletion, rat hotspots relocated to functional regions, about 40% to positions corresponding to Prdm9-independent mouse hotspots, including promoters. Despite the hotspot relocation and decreased fertility, Prdm9-deficient rats of the SHR/OlaIpcv strain produced healthy offspring. The percentage of normal pachytene spermatocytes in SHR-Prdm9 mutants was almost double than in the PWD male mouse oligospermic sterile mutants. We previously found a correlation between the crossover rate and sperm presence in mouse Prdm9 mutants. The crossover rate of SHR is more similar to sperm-carrying mutant mice, but it did not fully explain the fertility of the SHR mutants. Besides mild meiotic arrests at rat tubular stages IV (mid-pachytene) and XIV (metaphase), we also detected postmeiotic apoptosis of round spermatids. We found delayed meiosis and age-dependent fertility in both sexes of the SHR mutants. CONCLUSIONS We hypothesize that the relative increased fertility of rat versus mouse Prdm9 mutants could be ascribed to extended duration of meiotic prophase I. While rat PRDM9 shapes meiotic recombination landscapes, it is unnecessary for recombination. We suggest that PRDM9 has additional roles in spermatogenesis and speciation-spermatid development and reproductive age-that may help to explain male-specific hybrid sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Mihola
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Landa
- Laboratory of Genetics of Model Diseases, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Florencia Pratto
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Kevin Brick
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Tatyana Kobets
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Fitore Kusari
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Srdjan Gasic
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Fatima Smagulova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
- Present address: Inserm U1085 IRSET, 35042, Rennes, France
| | - Corinne Grey
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS UMR 9002, 34396, Montpellier, France
| | - Petr Flachs
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
- Present address: Division BIOCEV, Laboratory of Epigenetics of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vaclav Gergelits
- Laboratory of Mouse Molecular Genetics, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Tresnak
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Silhavy
- Laboratory of Genetics of Model Diseases, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Mlejnek
- Laboratory of Genetics of Model Diseases, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - R Daniel Camerini-Otero
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Michal Pravenec
- Laboratory of Genetics of Model Diseases, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Galina V Petukhova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Zdenek Trachtulec
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Chen T, Zhang B, Ziegenhals T, Prusty AB, Fröhler S, Grimm C, Hu Y, Schaefke B, Fang L, Zhang M, Kraemer N, Kaindl AM, Fischer U, Chen W. A missense mutation in SNRPE linked to non-syndromal microcephaly interferes with U snRNP assembly and pre-mRNA splicing. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008460. [PMID: 31671093 PMCID: PMC6850558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malfunction of pre-mRNA processing factors are linked to several human diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration. Here we report the identification of a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the SNRPE gene (c.65T>C (p.Phe22Ser)) in a patient with non-syndromal primary (congenital) microcephaly and intellectual disability. SNRPE encodes SmE, a basal component of pre-mRNA processing U snRNPs. We show that the microcephaly-linked SmE variant is unable to interact with the SMN complex and as a consequence fails to assemble into U snRNPs. This results in widespread mRNA splicing alterations in fibroblast cells derived from this patient. Similar alterations were observed in HEK293 cells upon SmE depletion that could be rescued by the expression of wild type but not mutant SmE. Importantly, the depletion of SmE in zebrafish causes aberrant mRNA splicing alterations and reduced brain size, reminiscent of the patient microcephaly phenotype. We identify the EMX2 mRNA, which encodes a protein required for proper brain development, as a major mis-spliced down stream target. Together, our study links defects in the SNRPE gene to microcephaly and suggests that alterations of cellular splicing of specific mRNAs such as EMX2 results in the neurological phenotype of the disease. In higher eukaryotes, the protein coding genes are first transcribed as precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs) and further processed by the spliceosome to form the mature mRNA for translation. Malfunction of pre-mRNA processing factors are linked to several human diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration. Here we report the identification of a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the SNRPE/SmE gene in a patient with non-syndromal primary (congenital) microcephaly and intellectual disability. The effect of identified de novo mutation on SNRPE/SmE was characterized in vitro. The zebrafish was used as in vivo model to further dissect the physiological consequence and pathomechanism. Finally, the EMX2 gene was identified as one of the major down stream target genes responsible for the phenotype. Our study links defects in the SNRPE/SmE gene to microcephaly and provides the new pathogenic mechanism for microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- Laboratory for Functional Genomics and Systems Biology, Berlin Institute for Medical System Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thomas Ziegenhals
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Archana B. Prusty
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fröhler
- Laboratory for Functional Genomics and Systems Biology, Berlin Institute for Medical System Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Clemens Grimm
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yuhui Hu
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Bernhard Schaefke
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Fang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Nadine Kraemer
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela M. Kaindl
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Chronically Sick Children, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail: (UF); (AK); (WC)
| | - Utz Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- * E-mail: (UF); (AK); (WC)
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- * E-mail: (UF); (AK); (WC)
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5
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Mihola O, Pratto F, Brick K, Linhartova E, Kobets T, Flachs P, Baker CL, Sedlacek R, Paigen K, Petkov PM, Camerini-Otero RD, Trachtulec Z. Histone methyltransferase PRDM9 is not essential for meiosis in male mice. Genome Res 2019; 29:1078-1086. [PMID: 31186301 PMCID: PMC6633264 DOI: 10.1101/gr.244426.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A hallmark of meiosis is the rearrangement of parental alleles to ensure genetic diversity in the gametes. These chromosome rearrangements are mediated by the repair of programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) as genetic crossovers between parental homologs. In mice, humans, and many other mammals, meiotic DSBs occur primarily at hotspots, determined by sequence-specific binding of the PRDM9 protein. Without PRDM9, meiotic DSBs occur near gene promoters and other functional sites. Studies in a limited number of mouse strains showed that functional PRDM9 is required to complete meiosis, but despite its apparent importance, Prdm9 has been repeatedly lost across many animal lineages. Both the reason for mouse sterility in the absence of PRDM9 and the mechanism by which Prdm9 can be lost remain unclear. Here, we explore whether mice can tolerate the loss of Prdm9. By generating Prdm9 functional knockouts in an array of genetic backgrounds, we observe a wide range of fertility phenotypes and ultimately demonstrate that PRDM9 is not required for completion of male meiosis. Although DSBs still form at a common subset of functional sites in all mice lacking PRDM9, meiotic outcomes differ substantially. We speculate that DSBs at functional sites are difficult to repair as a crossover and that by increasing the efficiency of crossover formation at these sites, genetic modifiers of recombination rates can allow for meiotic progression. This model implies that species with a sufficiently high recombination rate may lose Prdm9 yet remain fertile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Mihola
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Florencia Pratto
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Kevin Brick
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Eliska Linhartova
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tatyana Kobets
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Flachs
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Christopher L Baker
- Center for Genome Dynamics, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases and Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kenneth Paigen
- Center for Genome Dynamics, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA
| | - Petko M Petkov
- Center for Genome Dynamics, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA
| | - R Daniel Camerini-Otero
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Zdenek Trachtulec
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
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Unpackaging the genetics of mammalian fertility: strategies to identify the “reproductive genome”†. Biol Reprod 2018; 99:1119-1128. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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7
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Li F, Ye Z, Zhai Y, Gong B, Jiang L, Wu H, Lin Y, Wan L, Yang Z, Shi Y, Wu Z. Evaluation of genome-wide susceptibility loci for high myopia in a Han Chinese population. Ophthalmic Genet 2017; 38:330-334. [PMID: 28085524 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2016.1227455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zimeng Ye
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yaru Zhai
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Gong
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Lingxi Jiang
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhenglin Yang
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Shi
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhengzheng Wu
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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8
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Markossian S, Flamant F. CRISPR/Cas9: a breakthrough in generating mouse models for endocrinologists. J Mol Endocrinol 2016; 57:R81-92. [PMID: 27272521 DOI: 10.1530/jme-15-0305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 is a recent development in genome editing which is becoming an indispensable element of the genetic toolbox in mice. It provides outstanding possibilities for targeted modification of the genome, and is often extremely efficient. There are currently two main limitations to in ovo genome editing in mice: the first is mosaicism, which is frequent in founder mice. The second is the difficulty to evaluate the advent of off-target mutations, which often imposes to wait for germline transmission to ensure genetic segregation between wanted and unwanted genetic mutations. However rapid progresses are made, suggesting that these difficulties can be overcome in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzy Markossian
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de LyonUniversité de Lyon, CNRS, INRA, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Frédéric Flamant
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de LyonUniversité de Lyon, CNRS, INRA, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon Cedex 07, France
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9
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Baker CL, Petkova P, Walker M, Flachs P, Mihola O, Trachtulec Z, Petkov PM, Paigen K. Multimer Formation Explains Allelic Suppression of PRDM9 Recombination Hotspots. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005512. [PMID: 26368021 PMCID: PMC4569383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic recombination during meiosis functions to increase genetic diversity, promotes elimination of deleterious alleles, and helps assure proper segregation of chromatids. Mammalian recombination events are concentrated at specialized sites, termed hotspots, whose locations are determined by PRDM9, a zinc finger DNA-binding histone methyltransferase. Prdm9 is highly polymorphic with most alleles activating their own set of hotspots. In populations exhibiting high frequencies of heterozygosity, questions remain about the influences different alleles have in heterozygous individuals where the two variant forms of PRDM9 typically do not activate equivalent populations of hotspots. We now find that, in addition to activating its own hotspots, the presence of one Prdm9 allele can modify the activity of hotspots activated by the other allele. PRDM9 function is also dosage sensitive; Prdm9+/- heterozygous null mice have reduced numbers and less active hotspots and increased numbers of aberrant germ cells. In mice carrying two Prdm9 alleles, there is allelic competition; the stronger Prdm9 allele can partially or entirely suppress chromatin modification and recombination at hotspots of the weaker allele. In cell cultures, PRDM9 protein variants form functional heteromeric complexes which can bind hotspots sequences. When a heteromeric complex binds at a hotspot of one PRDM9 variant, the other PRDM9 variant, which would otherwise not bind, can still methylate hotspot nucleosomes. We propose that in heterozygous individuals the underlying molecular mechanism of allelic suppression results from formation of PRDM9 heteromers, where the DNA binding activity of one protein variant dominantly directs recombination initiation towards its own hotspots, effectively titrating down recombination by the other protein variant. In natural populations with many heterozygous individuals, allelic competition will influence the recombination landscape. During formation of sperm and eggs chromosomes exchange DNA in a process known as recombination, creating new combinations responsible for much of the enormous diversity in populations. In some mammals, including humans, the locations of recombination are chosen by a DNA-binding protein named PRDM9. Importantly, there are tens to hundreds of different variations of the Prdm9 gene (termed alleles), many of which are predicted to bind a unique DNA sequence. This high frequency of variation results in many individuals having two different copies of Prdm9, and several lines of evidence indicate that alleles compete to initiate recombination. In seeking to understand the mechanism of this competition we found that Prdm9 activity is sensitive to the number of gene copies present, suggesting that availability of this protein is a limiting factor during recombination. Moreover, we found that variant forms of PRDM9 protein can physically interact suggesting that when this happens one variant can influence which hotspots will become activated. Genetic crosses in mice support these observations; the presence of a dominant Prdm9 allele can completely suppress recombination at some locations. We conclude that allele-dominance of PRDM9 is a consequence of protein-protein interaction and competition for DNA binding in a limited pool of molecules, thus shaping the recombination landscape in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L. Baker
- Center for Genome Dynamics, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Pavlina Petkova
- Center for Genome Dynamics, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Michael Walker
- Center for Genome Dynamics, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Petr Flachs
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Mihola
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Trachtulec
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petko M. Petkov
- Center for Genome Dynamics, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Paigen
- Center for Genome Dynamics, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Bradford AP, Jones K, Kechris K, Chosich J, Montague M, Warren WC, May MC, Al-Safi Z, Kuokkanen S, Appt SE, Polotsky AJ. Joint MiRNA/mRNA expression profiling reveals changes consistent with development of dysfunctional corpus luteum after weight gain. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135163. [PMID: 26258540 PMCID: PMC4530955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Obese women exhibit decreased fertility, high miscarriage rates and dysfunctional corpus luteum (CL), but molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. We hypothesized that weight gain induces alterations in CL gene expression. RNA sequencing was used to identify changes in the CL transcriptome in the vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) during weight gain. 10 months of high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFHF) resulted in a 20% weight gain for HFHF animals vs. 2% for controls (p = 0.03) and a 66% increase in percent fat mass for HFHF group. Ovulation was confirmed at baseline and after intervention in all animals. CL were collected on luteal day 7-9 based on follicular phase estradiol peak. 432 mRNAs and 9 miRNAs were differentially expressed in response to HFHF diet. Specifically, miR-28, miR-26, and let-7b previously shown to inhibit sex steroid production in human granulosa cells, were up-regulated. Using integrated miRNA and gene expression analysis, we demonstrated changes in 52 coordinately regulated mRNA targets corresponding to opposite changes in miRNA. Specifically, 2 targets of miR-28 and 10 targets of miR-26 were down-regulated, including genes linked to follicular development, steroidogenesis, granulosa cell proliferation and survival. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of dietary-induced responses of the ovulating ovary to developing adiposity. The observed HFHF diet-induced changes were consistent with development of a dysfunctional CL and provide new mechanistic insights for decreased sex steroid production characteristic of obese women. MiRNAs may represent novel biomarkers of obesity-related subfertility and potential new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P. Bradford
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Jones
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Katerina Kechris
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Justin Chosich
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Michael Montague
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63108, United States of America
| | - Wesley C. Warren
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63108, United States of America
| | - Margaret C. May
- Department of Pathology (Comparative Medicine), Wake Forest University Primate Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States of America
| | - Zain Al-Safi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Satu Kuokkanen
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, United States of America
| | - Susan E. Appt
- Department of Pathology (Comparative Medicine), Wake Forest University Primate Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States of America
| | - Alex J. Polotsky
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Nuclear localization of PRDM9 and its role in meiotic chromatin modifications and homologous synapsis. Chromosoma 2015; 124:397-415. [PMID: 25894966 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-015-0511-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Developmental progress of germ cells through meiotic phases is closely tied to ongoing meiotic recombination. In mammals, recombination preferentially occurs in genomic regions known as hotspots; the protein that activates these hotspots is PRDM9, containing a genetically variable zinc finger (ZNF) domain and a PR-SET domain with histone H3K4 trimethyltransferase activity. PRDM9 is required for fertility in mice, but little is known about its localization and developmental dynamics. Application of spermatogenic stage-specific markers demonstrates that PRDM9 accumulates in male germ cell nuclei at pre-leptonema to early leptonema but is no longer detectable in nuclei by late zygonema. By the pachytene stage, PRDM9-dependent histone H3K4 trimethyl marks on hotspots also disappear. PRDM9 localizes to nuclei concurrently with the deposition of meiotic cohesin complexes, but is not required for incorporation of cohesin complex proteins into chromosomal axial elements, or accumulation of normal numbers of RAD51 foci on meiotic chromatin by late zygonema. Germ cells lacking PRDM9 exhibit inefficient homology recognition and synapsis, with aberrant repair of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks and transcriptional abnormalities characteristic of meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin. Together, these results on the developmental time course for nuclear localization of PRDM9 establish its direct window of function and demonstrate the independence of chromosome axial element formation from the concurrent PRDM9-mediated activation of recombination hotspots.
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12
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Erickson RP, Mitchison NA. The low frequency of recessive disease: insights from ENU mutagenesis, severity of disease phenotype, GWAS associations, and demography: an analytical review. J Appl Genet 2014; 55:319-27. [PMID: 24652618 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-014-0203-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A survey of a select panel of 14 genetic diseases with mixed inheritance confirms that, while autosomal recessive (AR) disease genes are more numerous than autosomal dominant (AD) or X-linked (XL) ones, they make a smaller average contribution to disease. Data collected from N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis studies show a similar excess of AR mutations. The smaller AR contribution may partially reflect disease severity, but only in the comparison of AR with AD mutations. On the contrary, XL mutations for the 14 diseases are generally more severe. Genome-wide associations studies (GWAS) data provide fresh insight into the shortage, with a limited negative selection effect mediated by the pleiotropic expression of recessive disease genes in other deleterious phenotypes. Genomic data provide further evidence of purging selection in a past European population bottleneck followed by a dramatic population explosion, now more clearly associated with past climate change. We consider these likely to be the main factors responsible for the low AR to AD/XL inheritance ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Erickson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA,
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13
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Charlesworth A, Meijer HA, de Moor CH. Specificity factors in cytoplasmic polyadenylation. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2014; 4:437-61. [PMID: 23776146 PMCID: PMC3736149 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Poly(A) tail elongation after export of an messenger RNA (mRNA) to the cytoplasm is called cytoplasmic polyadenylation. It was first discovered in oocytes and embryos, where it has roles in meiosis and development. In recent years, however, has been implicated in many other processes, including synaptic plasticity and mitosis. This review aims to introduce cytoplasmic polyadenylation with an emphasis on the factors and elements mediating this process for different mRNAs and in different animal species. We will discuss the RNA sequence elements mediating cytoplasmic polyadenylation in the 3' untranslated regions of mRNAs, including the CPE, MBE, TCS, eCPE, and C-CPE. In addition to describing the role of general polyadenylation factors, we discuss the specific RNA binding protein families associated with cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements, including CPEB (CPEB1, CPEB2, CPEB3, and CPEB4), Pumilio (PUM2), Musashi (MSI1, MSI2), zygote arrest (ZAR2), ELAV like proteins (ELAVL1, HuR), poly(C) binding proteins (PCBP2, αCP2, hnRNP-E2), and Bicaudal C (BICC1). Some emerging themes in cytoplasmic polyadenylation will be highlighted. To facilitate understanding for those working in different organisms and fields, particularly those who are analyzing high throughput data, HUGO gene nomenclature for the human orthologs is used throughout. Where human orthologs have not been clearly identified, reference is made to protein families identified in man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Charlesworth
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA
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14
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Abstract
Formerly known as 'intersex' conditions, disorders of sex development (DSDs) are congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex is atypical. A complete revision of the nomenclature and classification of DSDs has been undertaken, which emphasizes the genetic aetiology of these disorders and discards pejorative terms. Uptake of the new terminology is widespread. DSDs affecting gonadal development are perhaps the least well understood. Unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying gonadal development has revealed new causes of DSDs, although a specific molecular diagnosis is made in only ∼20% of patients. Conversely, identification of the molecular causes of DSDs has provided insight into the mechanisms of gonadal development. Studies of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis in the mouse, and multigene diagnostic screening and genome-wide approaches, such as array-comparative genomic hybridization and next-generation sequencing, in patients with DSDs are accelerating the discovery of genes involved in gonadal development and DSDs. Furthermore, long-range gene regulatory mutations and multiple gene mutations are emerging as new causes of DSDs. Patients with DSDs, their parents and medical staff are confronted with challenging decisions regarding gender assignment, genital surgery and lifelong care. These advances are refining prognostic prediction and systematically improving the diagnosis and long-term management of children with DSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Ono
- Molecular Genetics and Development Division, Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Department of Anatomy and Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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15
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Pasternack SM, Refke M, Paknia E, Hennies HC, Franz T, Schäfer N, Fryer A, van Steensel M, Sweeney E, Just M, Grimm C, Kruse R, Ferrándiz C, Nöthen MM, Fischer U, Betz RC. Mutations in SNRPE, which encodes a core protein of the spliceosome, cause autosomal-dominant hypotrichosis simplex. Am J Hum Genet 2013; 92:81-7. [PMID: 23246290 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Revised: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypotrichosis simplex (HS) comprises a group of hereditary isolated alopecias that are characterized by a diffuse and progressive loss of hair starting in childhood and shows a wide phenotypic variability. We mapped an autosomal-dominant form of HS to chromosome 1q31.3-1q41 in a Spanish family. By direct sequencing, we identified the heterozygous mutation c.1A>G (p.Met1?) in SNRPE that results in loss of the start codon of the transcript. We identified the same mutation in a simplex HS case from the UK and an additional mutation (c.133G>A [p.Gly45Ser]) in a simplex HS case originating from Tunisia. SNRPE encodes a core protein of U snRNPs, the key factors of the pre-mRNA processing spliceosome. The missense mutation c.133G>A leads to a glycine to serine substitution and is predicted to disrupt the structure of SNRPE. Western blot analyses of HEK293T cells expressing SNRPE c.1A>G revealed an N-terminally truncated protein, and therefore the mutation might result in use of an alternative in-frame downstream start codon. Subcellular localization of mutant SNRPE by immunofluorescence analyses as well as incorporation of mutant SNRPE proteins into U snRNPs was found to be normal, suggesting that the function of U snRNPs in splicing, rather than their biogenesis, is affected. In this report we link a core component of the spliceosome to hair loss, thus adding another specific factor in the complexity of hair growth. Furthermore, our findings extend the range of human phenotypes that are linked to the splicing machinery.
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